Gaming shop embraces 'nerd culture'

Faith and Aaron Garritillo are the owners of Cloud City Games in Allentown. (CHRIS SHIPLEY, SPECIAL…)

January 25, 2014|Retail Watch | Scanning the Storefronts

With "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" and "X-Men: Days of Future Past" arriving in theaters later this year and "The Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Batman vs. Superman" set for release in 2015 and 2016 respectively, it's clear society's obsession with superheroes is at an all-time high.

Now, Cloud City Games at 5661 Hamilton Blvd. in Lower Macungie Township aims to help fans embrace their inner superhero by offering comics, games, toys and other merchandise associated with their favorite crusaders.

The store, which labels itself a "destination for all things cool," opened Nov. 1 in the Shepherd Hills Plaza space formerly occupied by women's clothing and accessories retailer Under the Mulberry Tree.

"The acceptability of nerd culture has just exploded in recent years," said Aaron Garritillo, who co-owns the store with his wife, Faith. "Twenty years ago, comic book fans got mocked and picked on. Today, films like 'Thor' and shows like 'The Big Bang Theory' are glorifying the genre."

Garritillo, who labels Iron Man as his favorite character growing up, also cites films and shows such as "The Hobbit," "Game of Thrones" and "The Walking Dead" as helping to propel fantasy entertainment into the mainstream.

Garritillo, who bought-out two comic book stores in the past two years, formerly operated Cloud City Comics and Toys in Syracuse, N.Y., before moving with his wife to Weisenberg Township about a year and half ago.

While he is still sorting through roughly 30,000 comics, he maintains that gaming is the true focus of his business with an equally expansive collection of trading cards and board games also available for purchase.

Additionally, Magic the Gathering, Netrunner, Munchkin and other card-game tournaments are held various nights of the week with entry fees coming back to the winners in the form of store credit.

"We really want to foster an environment where people feel comfortable hanging out and using the gaming space," said Garritillo, who serves as a judge in many of the tournaments.

Garritillo, who also bartends part time at Red Robin in Hanover Township, Lehigh County, is unaware of any similar shops in the East Penn area. He cites Allentown stores such as The Encounter and Beachead Comics as the closest alternatives.

Cloud City Games, open seven days a week, offers other merchandise ranging from pint and shot glasses to new and vintage action figures. Info: 610-351-2491 or cloudcitygames.com.

Just up the road from Cloud City, Seasons Produce opened a few weeks ago at 4550 Hamilton Blvd., across from Ciocca Subaru.

According to manager Vikki Huang of Upper Macungie Township, the 3,000-square-foot store sells fresh fruits, vegetables and Chinese groceries. In the warmer months, it also will offer potted plants and smoothies. Info: 610-841-4833.

South of Wescosville, Bear Swamp Diner at 202 E. Main St. in Macungie changed hands earlier this month.

According to Cheryl Benner, a waitress there for 18 years, she and cook Emilio Orna took control after the previous owners of 11 years, Mike and Georgia Petropoulous, decided to open a restaurant in Pottstown.

"We became like a family and didn't want to see that disappear," said Benner, who still serves six days a week.

The eatery is open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, but will stay open until 8 p.m. starting in March. Info: 610-967-2999.

Speaking of keeping restaurants alive, Youell's Oyster House is expected to reopen Feb. 23 at 2249 W. Walnut St. in Allentown, the same site where it was destroyed by a fire last January.

The new restaurant will be expanded approximately 20 percent, resulting in a new 150-person seating capacity and mezzanine level for private functions.

Its original core menu of seafood entrees will be complemented with American bistro fare and an enhanced selection of wine and craft brews. Also, the bar will feature a variety of oysters on display, which will be shucked to order.